A scale is a sequence of notes which may be in ascending or descending order or form.
And there can be major and minor scales.
But what does major or minor mean? Major and minor are usually adjectives that describe a scale or a mode in modern Western music.
They can also define a key or a chord according to their used intervals.
If a major third is used in a scale, key, or chord, it is considered a major scale, key, or chord.
In the same way, if a minor third is used in a scale, key, or chord, it is considered a minor scale, key, or chord.
Major scales, keys, or chords sound happy compared to minor scales, keys, or chords, which sound sad and melancholic.
Major scales are naturally defined as diatonic, whereas minor scales can be either diatonic, melodic, or harmonic.
Diatonic scales contain seven notes in their natural state, which means according to their defined key signature without any alteration.
Here is an example of a diatonic major scale in the key of D major.
And here is an example of a diatonic, also known as natural, minor scale in D minor.
Here you see a melodic minor scale in D minor.
Melodic minor scales instead are not in their natural state.
They are altered in such a way to have the sixth and the seventh notes a semitone or a half step higher in the ascending form of the scale, while the same notes get lowered back to their natural state in the descending form of the scale.
Here you see a harmonic minor scale in D minor.
A harmonic scale is another type of minor scale altered from its natural state. Their characteristic is the augmented second between their sixth and seventh notes in both ascending and descending forms of the scale.
Harmonic scales sound like Middle Eastern music, based on the Jins Hijaz short scale, which includes the same interval.
Harmonic scales, in fact, are often referred to as the Muhammedin scale.
All these alterations of minor scales occur in order to raise the seventh note to lead to the tonic, which is the first note of the scale.
Such an altered seventh note is called a leading tone, or subsemitone, or even sensibile in Italian because it leads naturally to the next note, a characteristic of natural major scales.
A minor natural scale actually sounds incomplete or unsatisfying without the alteration of the seventh note, hence the creation of these different altered states of minor scales.
The last kind of scale in traditional Western music is the chromatic scale.
It starts from the first note of the defined key up to the next octave, playing each semitone or half step in between.
Here is an example of a chromatic scale in the key of C major.
A scale is a sequence of notes that may be in ascending or descending order. Here is an example of a scale in the key of C major:
There are several kinds of scales according to the intervals they contain, but the most well-known are the diatonic major and minor scales, the melodic and harmonic minor scales, and the chromatic scale.
Here are some examples of them:
Diatonic major scale (D major key):
Diatonic (natural) minor scale (D minor key):
Melodic minor scale (D minor key):
Harmonic minor scale (D minor key):
Chromatic scale:
What are keys in music?
Keys are sets of notes that define the harmonic and melodic framework for compositions, indicating the scale from which the piece primarily draws its notes.
Recognizing the key of a piece involves a few steps and some musical knowledge. Here's a simplified approach:
Listen for the Tonal Center: The tonal center is the note that feels like "home" or the resting point in the piece. It's the pitch where the music feels resolved and at ease. This note often corresponds to the key of the piece.
Identify the Key Signature: If you're reading sheet music, look at the key signature at the beginning of the staff. The key signature consists of sharps (#) or flats (b) placed on the staff lines and spaces, indicating which notes are consistently sharp or flat throughout the piece. You can use the key signature to determine the key by matching it to known patterns for major and minor scales. For sharp key signatures, the key is a half step above the last sharp. For flat key signatures, the second-to-last flat names the key if there's more than one flat. If there's only one flat (Bb), the key is F major or D minor.
Look at the Chords: The progression of chords in a piece often points to its key. Major keys typically have a dominant V (five) chord leading back to the I (one) chord of the key. For example, if you frequently see a progression from G major to C major chords, the piece is likely in the key of C major.
Consider the Melody: The melody can also give clues to the key. Notes that are emphasized or repeated, especially at the beginning or end of phrases, might indicate the tonal center.
Use Your Ear: With practice, you'll start to recognize the characteristic sounds of different keys. Major keys often sound bright and cheerful, while minor keys can sound sad or melancholic.
Software and Apps: There are various software and apps available that can analyze the audio file of a piece and suggest its key based on the analysis of pitch content and harmony.
Recognizing the key of a piece can take some practice, especially if you're doing it by ear. However, understanding basic music theory and getting familiar with the sounds of different keys will make it easier over time.
What are chords in music?
Chords in music are combinations of two or more notes played simultaneously that create harmony. They are foundational to most musical compositions, providing depth, texture, and emotion to a piece. Chords are built from scales and are classified by their structure (such as major, minor, augmented, diminished) and the intervals between the notes. The most basic chord, the triad, consists of three notes: the root, the third, and the fifth. Chords can create different moods and atmospheres in music, depending on their composition and context within a piece.
What do major and minor mean?
Major and Minor are adjectives that are used to describe a scale, key, or chord according to its used intervals. If a major third is used in a scale, key, or chord, it is considered a “major” scale, key, or chord. Similarly, if a minor third is used in a scale, key, or chord, it is considered a “minor” scale, key, or chord. Major scales, keys, or chords sound “happy” compared to minor scales, keys, or chords, which sound sad and melancholic. In modern music, we often refer to these two different scales as "modes."
Example of major chord (C major triad):
Example of minor chord (C minor triad):
Practice test
Answer the questions below to verify your knowledge of what has been explained above:
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